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The Angry Black Woman Stereotype

The angry black woman stereotype is a reference to loud, aggressive, demanding and uncivilized behavior that is often paired to a lower middle class woman.

As a controlling image

Controlling images are stereotypes that are used against a marginalized group to portray social injustice as natural and inevitable parts of a normal life. This controlling image is used in many settings, such as academia and the workplace, which effects the lives of black women. It silences black women, making them practically invisible in society.

Angry black women in education

Scholarship has been dominated by white men and women. It requires a lot of energy and commitment to because a recognized scholar as a person of color, especially a woman of color. There is a dire need for representation in academia. Being a recognized academic is much more than having the degree, it is more of a social activism. This is a difficult position to hold, being that white counterparts dominate the activist and social work realms of scholasticism. It is difficult for a black woman to receive the resources needed to complete her research and write the texts she desires. This is, in part, due to the silencing effect of the angry black woman stereotype. Black women are skeptical of raising issues, also seen as complaining, within professional settings because of the fear of being judged.

In literature

Few texts have been written about the Angry Black Woman stereotype. Some examples are listed below: “Behind the Mask of the Strong Black Woman: Voice and the Embodiment of a Costly Performance” by Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant

“Black Sexual Politics: African Americans, Gender and the New Racism” By Patricia Hill Collins

“I AM an Angry Black Woman: Black Feminist Autoethnography, Voice, and Resistance: by Rachel Alicia Griffin

“Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America” by Melissa V. Harris-Perry

Angry Black Woman in Media

The stereotype of angry black women has been, and currently is, apparent in media. A few examples are listed below:

1951- Sapphire, Amos ‘n’ Andy

1972- Aunt Esther, Sanford and Son 1997- Pam, Martin

2001- Yvette, Baby Boy 2005 Helen Harris, The Diary of a Mad Black Woman

2007- Angela, Why Did I get Married?

2009- Aunt April, I Can Do Bad All by Myself

2010- Willhelmina Slater, Ugly Betty

2015- Cookie Lyon, Empire

Mental and Emotional consequences

Because of the angry black woman stereotype, black women to become desensitized about their own feelings to avoid judgment. They often feel that they must show no emotion outside of their comfortable spaces. This results in the accumulation of these feelings of hurt, and can be projected on loved ones as anger. Once seen as angry, black women are always seen in that light and are consequently dismissed. The repression of these feelings can also result in serious mental health issues, which creates a complex with the strong black woman. As a common problem within the black community, black women and men seldom seek help for their mental health challenges.

Angry black women and interracial relationships

Often times, Black women’s opinions are not heard within studies that examine interracial relationships. It is often assumed that Black women are just naturally angry. However, the implications of Black women’s opinion are not explored within the context of race and history. According to Erica Child's study, Black women are most opposed to interracial relationships. Since the 1600’s, interracial sexuality has represented unfortunate sentiments for Black women. Black men who were engaged with White women were severely punished. However, White men who exploited Black women were never reprimanded. In fact, it was more economically favorable for a Black woman to birth a White man’s child, because slave labor would be increased. It was taboo for a White woman to have a Black man’s child: it was seen as race tainting. In more contemporary times, interracial relationships can sometimes represent rejection for Black women. The probability of finding a “good” Black man was low due to the prevalence of homicide, drugs, and incarceration, and interracial relationships were making the task for Black women more difficult. As concluded from this study, interracial dating compromises Black love. It was often that participants expressed their opinions that Black love is important and represents more than the aesthetic: it is about Black solidarity. “Angry” Black women believe that if Whites will never understand Blacks and they still regard Blacks as inferior, interracial relationships will never be worthwhile. The study shows that a majority of the participants think that Black women who have interracial relationships will not betray or disassociate with the Black community, whereas Black men who date interracially are seen as taking away from the black community to advance the white patriarchy.